Temperature Changing Device

ABSTRACT

A temperature changing device includes a first tubular member having a top end and a bottom end. The second tubular member is fixed to the first tubular member. A second tubular member communicates with the first tubular member via an air receiving passage. An intake control device is arranged between the air receiving passage and the bottom end of the first tubular member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a temperature changing device comprising afirst tubular member that communicates with a second tubular member viaan air receiving passage wherein the first tubular member is providedwith an intake control device.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to alter the temperature of a consumable liquidprior to the consumption thereof by a consumer. For example, it maydesirable to cool a hot consumable liquid, such as coffee or broth,prior to the consumption thereof. Additionally, it may be desirable towarm a cold consumable liquid, such as a milkshake, prior to theconsumption thereof. It is therefore desirable to provide a temperaturechanging device that can easily alter the temperature of the consumableliquid immediately prior to or simultaneous with the consumption of theconsumable liquid by the consumer.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention relates to a temperature changing device comprising afirst tubular member having a top end and a bottom end. The secondtubular member is fixed to the first tubular member. A second tubularmember communicates with the first tubular member via an air receivingpassage. An intake control device is arranged between the air receivingpassage and the bottom end of the first tubular member.

The invention further relates to a method of changing a temperature of aliquid, comprising: inserting a bottom end of a first tubular memberinto the liquid; applying suction to a top end of the first tubularmember; drawing the liquid through a liquid receiving passage in anintake control device toward the top end of the first tubular member;drawing surrounding air through a second tubular member and through anair receiving passage communicating with the first tubular member; andmixing the liquid with the air in a mixing region proximate the airreceiving passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature changing device accordingto a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the temperature changing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the temperature changing device of FIG. 1showing a method of use thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a temperature changing device accordingto a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the temperature changing device of FIG. 4showing a method of use thereof.

FIG. 6 is sectional view of the temperature changing device of FIG. 4showing a method of use thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a temperature changing device accordingto a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the temperature changing device of FIG. 7showing a method of use thereof.

FIG. 9 is sectional view of the temperature changing device of FIG. 7showing a method of use thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

FIGS. 1-3 show a temperature changing device 1 according to a firstembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the temperaturechanging device 1 includes a first tubular member 2 and a second tubularmember 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the first tubular member 2 has an openbottom end 5 and an open top end 7. The first tubular member 2 has aninternal diameter 12. The second tubular member 3 has an open bottom end4 and an open top end 6. The second tubular member 3 has an internaldiameter 13. The internal diameter 13 of the second tubular member 3 issmaller than the internal diameter 12 of the first tubular member 2. Forexample, the internal diameter 13 of the second tubular member 3 may beabout 60% of the internal diameter 12 of the first tubular member 2. Thefirst tubular member 2 has an open bottom end 5 and an open top end 7.The second tubular member 3 has an open bottom end 4 and an open top end6. Although the first and second tubular members 2, 3 are illustratedand described herein as having a substantially right circular cylinderconfiguration, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe first and second tubular members 2, 3 may be formed to have anydesired geometrical configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first tubular member 2 at least partiallyreceives the second tubular member 3. The bottom end 4 of the secondtubular member 3 is arranged within and spaced from the bottom end 5 ofthe first tubular member 2. The top end 6 of the second tubular member 3is arranged outside of and spaced from the top end 7 of the firsttubular member 2. At least a portion on an outer surface 14 of thesecond tubular member 3 is fixed to at least a portion of an innersurface 8 of the first tubular member 2 such that an air receivingpassage 9 is formed between the outer surface 14 of the second tubularmember 3 and the inner surface 8 of the first tubular member 2. Theouter surface 14 of the second tubular member 3 may be fixed to theinner surface 8 of the first tubular member 2 by any known attachmentmethod or integrally formed in one piece therewith. The outer surface 14of the second tubular member 3 may be fixed to the inner surface 8 ofthe first tubular member 2, for example, with an adhesive such as aglue, epoxy, or resin, with a frictional fit, or by heating, melting,and cooling the outer surface 14 of the second tubular member 3 and/orthe inner surface 8 of the first tubular member 2 to form a bond therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom end 5 of the first tubular member 2 isprovided with an intake control device 10. The intake control device 10is substantially in the form of a washer and extends substantiallyperpendicular to a longitudinal axis 21 of the first tubular member 2.The intake control device 10 may be fixed to the inner surface 8 of thefirst tubular member 2 by any known attachment method or integrallyformed in one piece therewith. The intake control device 10 may be fixedto the inner surface 8 of the first tubular member 2, for example, withan adhesive such as a glue, epoxy, or resin, with a frictional fit, orby heating, melting, and cooling an outer surface of the intake controldevice 10 and/or the inner surface 8 of the first tubular member 2 toform a bond there between. The intake control device 10 has a liquidreceiving passage 11 formed in substantially a center thereof. Theliquid receiving passage 11 has an internal diameter 15. The internaldiameter 15 of the liquid receiving passage 11 is smaller than theinternal diameter 12 of the first tubular member 2. For example, theinternal diameter 15 of the intake control device 10 may be about 40% ofthe internal diameter 12 of the first tubular member 2. The temperaturechanging device 1 may be made, for example, from a thermally insulatingmaterial such as plastic, rubber, fiberglass, resin, or epoxy.

A method of using the temperature changing device I will now bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom end 5 of the first tubularmember 2 is inserted into a consumable liquid 16, such as coffee, hotchocolate, broth or a milkshake. Upon insertion in the liquid 16, theliquid 16 flows through the liquid receiving passage 11 of the intakecontrol device 10 and substantially fills the temperature changingdevice 1 up to a point of insertion 17 of the temperature changingdevice 1 in the liquid 1. A consumer places their mouth (not shown)around the top end 6 of the second tubular member 3 and applies suctionthereto in a direction of arrows 18. The suction causes the liquid 16 tobe pulled upward through the second tubular member 3 and toward the topend 6 of the second tubular member 3.

Simultaneously, the suction causes surrounding or outside air to bedrawn in a direction of arrows 19 into the air receiving passage 9 andtoward the bottom end 4 of the second tubular member 3. The airencounters the liquid 16 in a mixing region 20 and mixes therewith. Ifthe air is cooler than the liquid 16, the air will cool the liquid 16,as it mixes therewith, prior to consumption of the liquid 16 by theconsumer at the top end 6. If the air is warmer than the liquid 16, theair will warm the liquid 16, as it mixes therewith, prior to consumptionof the liquid 16 by the consumer at the top end 6. For example, if theliquid 16 was initially at a temperature of about 165 degrees Fahrenheitand the air temperature was at a temperature of about 72 degreesFahrenheit, then the liquid 16 could be cooled to a temperature range ofabout 88-125 degrees Fahrenheit prior to consumption by the consumer.Additionally, the intake control device 10 limits the amount of liquid16 drawn into the temperature changing device 1 during the consumptionof the liquid 16 by the consumer in order to optimize the ability of theair to interact with and change the temperature of the liquid 16. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the length of thefirst and second tubular members 2, 3, the size of the air receivingpassage 9, and the size of the liquid receiving passage 11 may be variedto vary the amount of temperature change occurring before consumption ofthe liquid 16 by the consumer.

FIGS. 4-6 show a temperature changing device 30 according to a secondembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the temperaturechanging device 30 includes a first tubular member 31 and a secondtubular member 32. The first tubular member 31 has an open bottom end 34and an open top end 39. As shown in FIG. 5, the first tubular member 31has an internal diameter 33. A valve receiving opening 41 is formed in awall 42 of the first tubular member 31 proximate the bottom end 34 ofthe first tubular member 31. Although the first tubular member 31 isillustrated and described herein as having a substantially rightcircular cylinder configuration, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the first tubular member 31 may be formed to have anydesired geometrical configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, between the bottom end 34 of the first tubularmember 31 and the valve receiving opening 41 is an intake control device35. The intake control device 35 is substantially in the form of awasher and extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 44of the first tubular member 31. The intake control device 35 may befixed to an inner surface 45 of the first tubular member 31 by any knownattachment method or integrally formed in one piece therewith. Theintake control device 35 may be fixed to the inner surface 45 of thefirst tubular member 31, for example, with an adhesive such as a glue,epoxy, or resin, with a frictional fit, or by heating, melting, andcooling an outer surface of the intake control device 35 and/or theinner surface 45 of the first tubular member 31 to form a bond therebetween. The intake control device 35 has a liquid receiving passage 36formed in substantially a center thereof. The liquid receiving passage36 has an internal diameter 37. The internal diameter 37 of the liquidreceiving passage 36 is smaller than the internal diameter 33 of thefirst tubular member 31. For example, the internal diameter 37 of theintake control device 35 may be about 40% of the internal diameter 33 ofthe first tubular member 31.

As shown in FIG. 5, a valve 38 is provided on a side of the intakecontrol device 35 facing the top end 39 of the first tubular member 31.The valve 38 is substantially in the form of a wall and has an end 46that extends through the valve receiving opening 41 in the wall 42. Thevalve 38 is moveable between a closed position shown in FIG. 5 where thevalve 38 substantially blocks the liquid receiving passage 36 and anopen position shown in FIG. 6 where the valve 38 substantially opens theliquid receiving passage 36. The valve 38 may be, for example, rotatableabout a pivot 40 mounted on the intake control device 35. The valve 38may be mounted such that the valve 38 is driven to the closed positionin a natural state by either the weight of the valve 38 itself or otherdriving means (not shown), such as a spring, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second tubular member 32 has a closed bottom end43 and an open top end 54. The second tubular member 32 has an internaldiameter 47. The internal diameter 47 of the second tubular member 32 issmaller than the internal diameter 33 of the first tubular member 31.For example, the internal diameter 47 of the second tubular member 32may be about 60% of the internal diameter 33 of the first tubular member31. The bottom end 43 of the second tubular member 32 has a firstsegment 48 extending away from a longitudinal axis 50 of the secondtubular member 32 and a second segment 49 extending from the firstsegment 48 and back toward the longitudinal axis 50 of the secondtubular member 32. The first segment 48 and the second segment 49 form asubstantially V-shape. A air receiving passage 51 is formed in thesecond segment 49. Although the second tubular member 32 is illustratedand described herein as having a substantially right circular cylinderconfiguration, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe second tubular members 32 may be formed to have any desiredgeometrical configuration.

As shown in FIG. 4, an outer surface 52 of the second tubular member 32may be fixed to at least a portion of an outer surface 53 of the firsttubular member 31 by any known attachment method or integrally formed inone piece therewith. The outer surface 52 of the second tubular member32 may be fixed to the outer surface 53 of the first tubular member 31,for example, with an adhesive such as a glue, epoxy, or resin, with africtional fit, or by heating, melting, and cooling the outer surface 52of the of the second tubular member 32 and/or the outer surface 53 ofthe first tubular member 31 to form a bond there between. The secondtubular member 32 is fixed to the first tubular member 31 such that thetop end 54 of the second tubular member 32 is spaced from the top end 39of the first tubular member 31. The bottom end 43 of the second tubularmember 32 is arranged proximate the bottom end 34 of the first tubularmember 31 such that the air receiving passage 51 communicates with thevalve receiving opening 41 and the end 46 of the valve 38 extends intothe air receiving passage 41, as shown in FIG. 5. It will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, however, that the second tubular member 32may alternatively be received inside the first tubular member 31 andfixed thereto similar to the temperature changing device 1 of the firstembodiment. The temperature changing device 30 may be made, for example,from a thermally insulating material such as plastic, rubber,fiberglass, resin, or epoxy.

A method of using the temperature changing device 30 will now bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom end 34 of the first tubularmember 31 is inserted into a consumable liquid 55, such as coffee, hotchocolate, broth or a milkshake. Upon insertion in the liquid 55, theliquid 55 flows into the bottom end 34 of the first tubular member 31 upto the intake control device 35. The liquid 55 is prevented fromentering the liquid receiving passage 36 of the intake control device 35by the valve 38, which is driven into the closed position. A consumerplaces their mouth (not shown) around the top end 39 of the firsttubular member 31 and applies suction thereto in a direction of arrows56, as shown in FIG. 6. The suction causes surrounding or outside air tobe drawn in a direction of arrows 57 toward the bottom end 43 of thesecond tubular member 32 and through the valve receiving opening 41. Theair being drawn through the valve receiving opening 41 engages the end46 of the valve 38 and causes the valve 48 to move into the openposition, as shown in FIG. 6.

After the valve 38 moves into the open position, the suction causes theliquid 16 to be pulled upward into the first tubular member 31 throughthe liquid receiving passage 36 and toward the top end 39 of the firsttubular member 31. Simultaneously, the air encounters the liquid 55 in amixing region 58 and mixes therewith. If the air is cooler than theliquid 55, the air will cool the liquid 55, as it mixes therewith, priorto consumption of the liquid 55 by the consumer at the top end 39. Ifthe air is warmer than the liquid 16, the air will warm the liquid 16,as it mixes therewith, prior to consumption of the liquid 16 by theconsumer at the top end 39. For example, if the liquid 55 was initiallyat a temperature of about 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the air temperaturewas at a temperature of about 72 degrees Fahrenheit, then the liquid 55could be cooled to a temperature range of about 88-125 degreesFahrenheit prior to consumption by the consumer. Because the valve 38prevents the liquid 55 from entering the first tubular member 31 untilsuction is applied thereto by the consumer, all of the liquid 55entering the first tubular member 31 will be mixed with the air in themixing region 58 such that even an initial amount of the liquid 55consumed by the consumer will experience a change in temperature.Additionally, the intake control device 35 limits the amount of liquid55 drawn into the temperature changing device 30 during the consumptionof the liquid 55 by the consumer in order to optimize the ability of theair to interact with and change the temperature of the liquid 55. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the length of thefirst and second tubular members 31, 32, the size of the valve receivingopening 41, and the size of the liquid receiving passage 36 may bevaried to vary the amount of temperature change occurring beforeconsumption of the liquid 55 by the consumer.

FIGS. 7-9 show a temperature changing device 70 according to a thirdembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the temperaturechanging device 70 includes a first tubular member 71 and a secondtubular member 72. The first tubular member 71 has a closed bottom end76 and an open top end 80. As shown in FIG. 8, the first tubular member71 has an internal diameter 73. An opening 74 is formed in a wall 75 ofthe first tubular member 71 proximate the bottom end 76 of the firsttubular member 71. Between the bottom end 76 of the first tubular member71 and the air receiving passageway 74 is an intake control device 77.The intake control device 77 includes a plurality of flaps 78. The flaps78 are formed, for example, by providing a plurality of cuts 79 in thefirst tubular member 71 that extend from the bottom end 76 of the firsttubular member 71 toward the top end 80 of the first tubular member 71.The flaps 78 are then bent inward into the first tubular member 71 suchthat outside surfaces 81 of the flaps 78 substantially rest on eachother. The flaps 78 extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis95 of the first tubular member 71. The flaps 78 are moveable between aclosed position shown in FIG. 8 and an open position shown in FIG. 9. Asshown in FIG. 9, in the open position, a liquid receiving passage 82 isformed between the flaps 78. The liquid receiving passage 82 has aninternal diameter 83. The internal diameter 83 of the liquid receivingpassage 82 is smaller than the internal diameter 73 of the first tubularmember 71. For example, the internal diameter 83 of the liquid receivingpassage 82 may be about 40% of the internal diameter 73 of the firsttubular member 71. Although the first tubular member 71 is illustratedand described herein as having a substantially right circular cylinderconfiguration, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe first tubular member 71 may be formed to have any desiredgeometrical configuration.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second tubular member 72 has a closed bottom end85 and an open top end 86. The second tubular member 72 has an internaldiameter 84. The internal diameter 84 of the second tubular member 72 issmaller than the internal diameter 73 of the first tubular member 71.For example, the internal diameter 84 of the second tubular member 72may be about 60% of the internal diameter 73 of the first tubular member71. An air receiving passage 87 is formed in a wall 88 of the secondtubular member 72 proximate the bottom end 85. Although the secondtubular member 72 is illustrated and described herein as having asubstantially right circular cylinder configuration, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the second tubular members32 may be formed to have any desired geometrical configuration.

As shown in FIG. 7, an outer surface 89 of the second tubular member 72is fixed to at least a portion of an outer surface 90 of the firsttubular member 71 by any known attachment method or integrally formed inone piece therewith. The outer surface 89 of the second tubular member72 may be fixed to the outer surface 90 of the first tubular member 71,for example, with an adhesive such as a glue, epoxy, or resin, with africtional fit, or by heating, melting, and cooling the outer surface 89of the second tubular member 72 and/or the outer surface 90 of the firsttubular member 71 to form a bond there between. The second tubularmember 72 is fixed to the first tubular member 71 such that the top end86 of the second tubular member 72 is spaced from the top end 80 of thefirst tubular member 71. The bottom end 85 of the second tubular member72 is arranged proximate the bottom end 76 of the first tubular member71 such that the air receiving passage 87 communicates with the opening74, as shown in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, however, that the second tubular member 72 may alternatively bereceived inside the first tubular member 71 and fixed thereto similar tothe temperature changing device 1 of the first embodiment. Thetemperature changing device 70 may be made, for example, from athermally insulating material such as plastic, rubber, fiberglass,resin, or epoxy.

A method of using the temperature changing device 30 will now bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom end 76 of the first tubularmember 71 is inserted into a consumable liquid 91, such as coffee, hotchocolate, broth or a milkshake. Upon insertion in the liquid 91, theliquid 91 flows into the bottom end 76 of the first tubular member 71 upto the intake control device 77. The liquid 91 is prevented fromentering the liquid receiving passage 82 by the flaps 78, which are inthe closed position. A consumer places their mouth (not shown) aroundthe top end 80 of the first tubular member 71 and applies suctionthereto in a direction of arrows 92, as shown in FIG. 9. The suctioncauses surrounding or outside air to be drawn in a direction of arrows93 toward the bottom end 85 of the second tubular member 72 and throughthe air receiving passage 87 and the opening 74. The suction also causesthe flaps 78 to move into the open position to open the liquid receivingpassage 82.

The suction causes the liquid 91 to be pulled upward into the firsttubular member 71 through the liquid receiving passage 82 and toward thetop end 80 of the first tubular member 71. Simultaneously, the airencounters the liquid 91 in a mixing region 94 and mixes therewith. Ifthe air is cooler than the liquid 91, the air will cool the liquid 91,as it mixes therewith, prior to consumption of the liquid 91 by theconsumer at the top end 80. If the air is warmer than the liquid 91, theair will warm the liquid 91, as it mixes therewith, prior to consumptionof the liquid 91 by the consumer at the top end 80. For example, if theliquid 91 was initially at a temperature of about 165 degrees Fahrenheitand the air temperature was at a temperature of about 72 degreesFahrenheit, then the liquid 91 could be cooled to a temperature range ofabout 88-125 degrees Fahrenheit prior to consumption by the consumer.Because the intake control device 77 prevents the liquid 91 fromentering the first tubular member 71 until suction is applied thereto bythe consumer, all of the liquid 91 entering the first tubular member 71will be mixed with the air in the mixing region 94 such that even aninitial amount of the liquid 91 consumed by the consumer will experiencea change in temperature. Additionally, the intake control device 77limits the amount of liquid 91 drawn into the temperature changingdevice 70 during the consumption of the liquid 91 by the consumer inorder to optimize the ability of the air to interact with and change thetemperature of the liquid 91. It will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that the length of the first and second tubular members 71, 72,the size of the opening 74, and the size of the liquid receiving passage82 may be varied to vary the amount of temperature change occurringbefore consumption of the liquid 91 by the consumer.

The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing theinvention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatelements of each of the first, second, and third embodiments 1, 30, 70of the temperature changing device 1, 30, 70 could be changed ormodified with elements from the other embodiments. Additionally, thetemperature changing device 1, 30, 70 could be integrally formed with aliquid holding container and/or with a lid for a liquid holdingcontainer. The temperature changing device 1, 30, 70 could also beformed to be flexible and/or collapsible. Further, the temperaturechanging device 1, 30, 70 could be used in other art fields with liquidsother than consumable liquids. Many other embodiments are possiblewithin the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intendedthat the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather thanlimiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appendedclaims together with their full range of equivalents.

1. A temperature changing device, comprising: a first tubular memberhaving a top end and a bottom end; a second tubular member fixed to thefirst tubular member, the second tubular member communicating with thefirst tubular member via an air receiving passage; and an intake controldevice arranged between the air receiving passage and the bottom end ofthe first tubular member.
 2. The temperature changing device of claim 1,wherein the intake control device includes a liquid receiving passage,the liquid receiving passage having an internal diameter smaller than aninternal diameter of the first tubular member.
 3. The temperaturechanging device of claim 2, wherein the first tubular member has amixing region proximate the liquid receiving passage and the airreceiving passage.
 4. The temperature changing device of claim 2,wherein the intake control device is fixed to an inner surface of thefirst tubular member.
 5. The temperature changing device of claim 2,wherein the intake control device extends substantially perpendicular toa longitudinal axis of the first tubular member.
 6. The temperaturechanging device of claim 2, further comprising a valve moveable betweenan open position and a closed position, the valve substantially blockingthe liquid receiving passage in the closed position.
 7. The temperaturechanging device of claim 6, wherein the valve extends into the airreceiving passage.
 8. The temperature changing device of claim 2,wherein the intake control device includes a plurality of flapsextending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the firsttubular member, the flaps being moveable between an open position and aclosed position.
 9. The temperature changing device of claim 8, whereinthe flaps substantially rest on each other in the closed position andform the liquid receiving passage in the open position.
 10. Thetemperature changing device of claim 1, wherein the second tubularmember is fixed to an outer surface of the first tubular member.
 11. Thetemperature changing device of claim 10, wherein the second tubularmember has an open top end and a closed bottom end.
 12. The temperaturechanging device of claim 1, wherein the second tubular member is fixedto an inner surface of the first tubular member.
 13. The temperaturechanging device of claim 1, wherein a top end of the second tubularmember is spaced from a top end of the first tubular member.
 14. Thetemperature changing device of claim 1, wherein the first tubular memberhas a continuous closed outer surface
 15. A method of changing atemperature of a liquid, comprising: inserting a bottom end of a firsttubular member into the liquid; applying suction to a top end of thefirst tubular member; drawing the liquid through a liquid receivingpassage in an intake control device toward the top end of the firsttubular member; drawing surrounding air through a second tubular memberand through an air receiving passage communicating with the firsttubular member; and mixing the liquid with the air in a mixing regionproximate the air receiving passage.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising opening the liquid receiving passage of the intake controldevice.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the liquid receiving passagehas an internal diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the firsttubular member.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second tubularmember is fixed to an outer surface of the first tubular member.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the second tubular member is fixed to aninner surface of the first tubular member.
 20. The method of claim 15,further comprising changing the temperature of the liquid prior to theliquid reaching the top end of the first tubular member.